Disease Surveillance & Investigation - The Public Health Nurse (PHN) at the Sarpy/Cass Department of Health & Wellness works diligently in the early detection, intervention, prevention and education of communicable diseases.

A disease investigation begins when the PHN is informed of laboratory results through the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS), area laboratories, or clinicians about a possible communicable disease. The PHN follows up by calling physicians offices to verify patient, diagnosis and clinical history. The nurse continues the investigation by contacting the individual for pertinant history; the information is then reported back into the NEDSS system.

Foodborne illness: You can help us identify foodborne outbreaks by telling us about your illness and things you ate in the days before you became ill. Your answers could help us identify foodborne outbreaks and prevent others from becoming ill. Report Foodborne Illness

Tuberculosis Investigation and Case Management - The Sarpy/Cass Department of Health & Wellness is contracted by the State of Nebraska Tuberculosis (TB) Program to conduct investigations of active TB cases, including investigating case contacts.  The PHN also case manages individuals in Sarpy and Cass counties who have been diagnosed with active TB.  This involves working closely with the patient’s physician to observe the patient through Direct Observation Therapy (DOT), ensuring compliance with the prescribed treatment. You can find more information on TB on the Nebraska Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program website.

If you have any questions, would like more information regarding disease surveillance in Sarpy or Cass counties, or are a physician or lab needing to report a notifiable condition, contact Monica Ulses, RN, at 402-339-4334 x 203, or [email protected]. More information on specific disease topics can be found at Health Topics A-Z

School Surveillance - The Sarpy/Cass Department of Health & Wellness monitors absentee rates with a school-based surveillance program to track communicable disease outbreaks and/or possible emergency-related events. Any absence rate over 10% is investigated and reported to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.

If you have any questions regarding our School Surveillance program, please contact Arlene Williams at 402-339-4334 x 210 or [email protected].